FCC Proposes TV Spectrum For Wireless

Washington, DC--The FCC has proposed to allow unlicensed devices to operate in the broadcast television spectrum at locations where the spectrum is not in use by television stations. In order to ensure that no interference is caused to TV stations and their viewers, the Commission proposed a requirement that unlicensed devices incorporate "smart radio" features to identify unused TV channels. The proposal is intended to allow the development of new and innovative types of unlicensed broadband devices and services for businesses and consumers by utilizing vacant spectrum that is particularly well suited for these purposes. The NAB is not convinced that no interference will be caused to television stations. In a statement issued after the FCC announced the proposal, NAB president and CEO Eddie Fritts said, "We have serious concerns that the introduction of unlicensed devices into the television band could result in unforeseen interference in broadcast service to millions of television viewers. "Free, over-the-air television provides invaluable news, information, and entertainment to local communities all over America and serves as a lifeline to citizens in times of crisis. We will work with the FCC to ensure that this proposal can be accommodated while preserving interference-free over-the-air television." FCCwww.fcc.gov

The FCC is asking for public comments on the possibility of allowing unlicensed wireless devices to operate in the spectrum band now occupied by TV broadcasters. The commission called the existing rules for unlicensed transmitters a "tremendous success," which have led to the development of new wireless devices such a

The Association for Maximum Service Television plans to conduct tests to determine the viability of an FCC proposal allowing unlicensed devices to share spectrum previously reserved for TV use, but before doing so it needs clarification of the proposal.

The FCC has released the Sixth Report and Order, Third Memorandum Opinion and Order, and Fifth Memorandum Opinion and Order regarding Advanced Wireless Service. The Order pairs 1915-1920 MHz, the band previously used for unlicensed Personal Communications Services (UPCS) with spectrum at 1995-2000 MHz, which was prev

The FCC has taken another step in its plan to allow low power devices to operate in unused TV broadcast spectrum. As described in last week's RF Report, the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology's Proposed Schedule for Proceeding on Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands has the FCC Laboratory issuing a re

FCC Proposes TV Spectrum For Wireless On May 13, the FCC proposed to allow unlicensed devices to operate in the broadcast television spectrum at locations where the spectrum is not in use by television stations. In order to ensure that no interference is caused to TV stations and their viewers, the commission propo

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology has requested proposals from those interested in building and managing the spectrum database to be used by unlicensed white space devices to avoid interfering with television broadcasters.

At its open meeting last week, FCC commissioners adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would allow unlicensed devices to operate in all or part of the 3,650 to 3,700 MHz band at higher power levels than currently authorized under FCC Rules Part 15. Higher power operation would be subject to the devices ha

Broadcasters have joined other licensed spectrum users in filing comments opposing the use of an interference temperature metric to allow unlicensed operations in licensed spectrum. The Association for Maximum Service Television, Inc. (MSTV) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) filed joint comments in FCC